Monday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 9/9/2019

Florida public universities shine in U.S. News and World Report’s college rankings

In its 2020 release, U.S. News and World Report gave special kudos to Florida, California and New York colleges and universities for excelling in enrolling and graduating large proportions of low-income students. The rankings authority unveiled a new list this year that ranked colleges on social mobility. Overall, the University of Florida remains the top university in the state, public or private. It ranked seventh in U.S. News’ list of top public schools and 34th among all universities. More from the Miami Herald and the Orlando Sentinel.

After Hurricane Dorian, the Bahamas prepares for another hit — to its crucial tourism industry

In an archipelago that counts the $4.3 billion tourism industry as king — it makes up more than 50% of its gross domestic product — vacations exist alongside relief efforts. In Nassau, tourists perused the shops by the port while on the other side of the city, ships ferried in hundreds of evacuees from the Abacos, where Dorian hit, many of them hungry, newly homeless and carrying with them only the shirts on their backs. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Floridians come to Bahamas’ rescue, but aid is slow to reach the suffering

By Saturday, Dorian’s death toll climbed to 43 in the Bahamas, according to the prime minister’s office. The number of people who lost everything and will be homeless in the weeks to come continues to skyrocket. The number of citizens who will be able to come into the United States to stay with family, and the documentation they’ll need to do so, remains uncertain. In the meantime, some are criticizing their government for what they feel is a slow response in relief efforts. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida’s milk prices are trending up. Here’s why.

Milk prices ticked up again recently. A gallon of 2% costs more than $4 in many local stores. Floridians already pay more for milk than residents of most other states. The price could climb even higher in the next few months. How’d we get here? The answer requires a dive into the fascinating and complex dairy supply chain. Milk pricing is a Byzantine mash-up of free markets and fixed prices, a kind of financial GMO. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

New Florida bill offers tax breaks on independent living items

Living independently could soon get a tiny bit easier for those looking to spend their golden years in the Sunshine State. A measure that would provide individuals with tax breaks when purchasing some items designed to help people age in their own home, such as shower seats, bed rails and grab bars, was recently proposed for Florida’s 2020 legislative session. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

› Habitat key to saving the pine snake in Florida [Gainesville Sun] The Florida pine snake, listed as threatened by state environmental officials, is a non-venomous snake native to the state and parts of Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. It lives mostly underground in burrows. It is often mistaken for the rattlesnake and killed by humans or run over while crossing roads. However, the pine snake’s biggest threat is habitat loss.

› Florida health food chain acquired, plans to expand bulk, private label sections [Business Observer] Bulk Nation Holdings, owner of Bulk Nation Foods of Florida, recently purchased Sarasota-based health food chain Richard’s Foodporium. After 40 years in business, Richard’s will continue to stay open, according to a press release. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Company leadership will remain the same, according to an official with Richard's.